Shreveport Home Inspection: AC and Heating Terms Explained

Heating and cooling notes appear in almost every Ark-La-Tex home inspection, and in this climate the AC deserves close attention. Here is what common terms mean. Your inspector is the best guide to your report, and a licensed HVAC contractor can explain costs.

Cooling

Temperature split — The difference between return and supply air; a low split can point to refrigerant or airflow problems. See AC repair.

Oversized system — A system too big for the house; it short cycles and leaves humidity behind.

Past expected life — The unit is older than typical. See AC replacement.

Attic equipment

Secondary drain pan — A pan under an attic air handler to catch overflow.

Float switch — Shuts the system off if the pan fills.

Duct leakage — Gaps in attic ducts that waste cooled air. More: attic ducts and heat gain.

Heating

Heat pump auxiliary heat — Backup heat strips; inspectors may test them. See heat pumps.

Furnace flue — The vent pipe for a gas furnace; it should be secure.

CO alarm — Missing alarms are a common note.

Other notes

Refrigerant type — Older refrigerant is costly to recharge.

Storm damage — Bent fins or a tilted pad on the outdoor unit. More: storms and your outdoor unit.

In a climate where the AC runs most of the year, inspectors pay close attention to attic equipment and drain protection. Notes about pans, float switches and duct leaks are common and usually straightforward to fix before you move in.

A contractor can check flagged items and give a written price before closing. See humidity and air quality.